Ambient is an intersection of art, culture, identity, and life. The exciting new exhibition highlights the work of Cuban photographer Yunet Holmes. It aims to break down walls and stereotypes involving gender and sexuality. 

The opening reception is Saturday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m. at The Box Gallery, 811 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach. The event is free, and you can RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ambient-tickets-87286316723.

In English, ambient means the immediate surroundings of something. In Spanish, ambiente is a euphemism for gay. This work focuses on the people who live in the community surrounding the studio and shows them in ways they want.

All of them are gender-fluid — people who are on the transgender spectrum and who want to identify in a way that’s authentic for them. Through photography, Holmes seeks to show how gender is different from sexuality. Everyone shown identifies with a pronoun that may or may not correlate one’s sexuality.

"The exhibition is extraordinary,” said The Box Gallery’s Rolando Chang Barrero. “It not only gives a face to the gender-fluid community but attaches their humanity, their spirit, their very essence. Holmes gives voice to the community who want to experience life authentically.”

All of the work will be auctioned; the proceeds will benefit Transpire Help — a non-profit organization founded in 2016 to assist LGBT people who are committed to living free from drug addiction or alcoholism. Transpire Help aspires to connect individuals to the care and resources necessary to create a solid foundation for a healthy and fulfilling life in recovery. 

It serves as a fundraising organization committed to re-directing financial support to help LGBT individuals within substance use treatment to be able to afford medications, food, clothes for job interviews, and much more. 

Transpire Help strives to connect individuals in recovery to mental health services and assist with establishing long-term sober-living housing for the LGBT community.